Aliya-by-Aliya Parashat Chayei Sara 5760

Numbers in [brackets] are the mitzva-count according to the Sefer HaChinuch. Other counts vary.

Kohen
First Aliya – First Aliya – 16 p’sukim – 23:1-16

The parsha begins by telling us that Sara died in Kiryat Arba, which is Hevron. But first it tells us that she lived a full, long life of 127 years.

[SDT] With the last theme of Vayeira being the AKEIDA, the juxtaposition of Sara’s death supports our Tradition that Sara died as a result of the Akeida. The Midrash says that the Satan informed Sara about what Avraham was intending to do with Yitzchak, when they went towards Har HaMoriah. The shock was too great for anold woman. Some commentaries give an interesting twist to this episode. They say that Sara expired, not from fear that Avraham was to offer Yitzchak as a Korban, but that he might not! She remembered Avraham’s reaction when she told him to banish Hagar and Yishmael. She was afraid that Avraham’s love and kindness towardsYitzchak would prevent him from carrying out G-d’s command, and that Avraham would thus fail his ultimate test. When she saw (or heard) that Avraham was returning with Yitzchak still alive, she thought her fears were realized. And that is what killed her.

Avraham comes (some say from the Akeida, from Har HaMoriah; some say from Be’er Sheva) to eulogize Sara and to cry for her.

[SDT] LIVKOTAH, and to cry for her, is written with a small KAF. Some take this as a reminder that the crying was “small” since Sara had lived such a long life. There is more crying when a person dies young. Others say that the small KAF allows us to reread the word with regular-sized letters only to obtain a differentunderstanding, on a REMEZ (hint) level. And Avraham came toeulogize Sara U’L’VITAH, and her daughter. This corelates with the opinions that Avraham and Sara had a daughter who died when Sara did. Not everyone agrees.

Avraham next makes the arragements for providing a suitable place to bury Sara. (There is a Tradition that Avraham was aware of the burial place of Adam and Chava, and that is the piece of land he was interested in.) He turns to the people of CHEIT, one of whom is known as EFRON. They all exchange niceties and the peopleoffer Avraham any land he wants. He insists on paying and that is what he does for the field and cave of Machpela.

For Sammy – May G-d comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim.

Pirkei Avot made famous that Avraham was tested 10 times. But we are not told what the ten tests are. And there different opinions as to which of Avraham’s experiences are considered tests of his faith. Most lists of the 10 end with the Akeida, as implied from the p’sukim themselves. Rabeinu Yona finds a test after theAkeida – Avraham’s experience in providing a burial place for Sara. What was so difficult about that, that it should qualify as a test of faith – especially after the Akeida? Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that after the Akeida, Avraham still had a couple of difficult things to go through. Wasn’t the Akeida and everythingthat preceded it enough? No, not finished yet. This can test a person, sometimes, more than terrible trials and tribulations.

Surviving the Holocaust did not guarantee a person that he would have an easy life from then on. Some were blessed with trouble-free lives, but most had many more difficulties.

We do not know how G-d works. Why must we suffer trials and tribulations in this world? It has something to do with making us better people. With challenging us. With testing us. With preparing our souls for the World of Truth. And probably a lot more.

Levi
Second Aliya -13 p’sukim – 23:17-24:9

The field, cave, trees, etc. become the lawful possessions of Avraham, after which he buries Sara.

Avraham is now at an advanced age and has been blessed greatly by G-d.

And G-d blessed Avraham BAKOL, with everything.

There are many suggestions as to what this extra blessing of BAKOL is. (Every time we say Birkat HaMazon, we ask G-d to bless us as He blessed our forefathers – BAKOL…)

The numeric value of BAKOL 52, the same as BEN, son. This alludes to the ultimate blessing that Avraham received – his son Yitzchak.

R. Meir says that Avraham was blessed by not having a daughter. In Avraham’s time and in his unique circumstances, who would she have married? What would have happened to her?

R. Yehuda says that Avraham’s extra blessing was that he did have a daughter. (I can testify as a father of daughters that they are indeed a great blessing.) Some add that his daughter’s name was BAKOL.

Rabbi Eliezer HaModai says that Avraham was blessed with the art/power of astrology and that he was consulted by noblemen from far and wide.

R. Shimon bar Yochai says that Avraham had a precious stone with curative powers that would heal all who gazed upon it.

These two opinions identify BAKOL as Avraham’s prominent position in the world. This fits with his role as “father of many nations”.

Some suggest that Eisav’s not sinning and Yishmael’s repentance, both during Avraham’s lifetime are the extra BAKOL blessings.

There are still other explanations.

From the variety of explanations of BAKOL, it is quite clear that Avraham’s unique status as the one who restored belief One G-d to the world did not go unrewarded. We can see in this list of blessings, all the different kinds of blessings that can be ours, the spiritual heirs of Avraham Avinu.

The one major task remaining, which will forge the next vital link in what promises to be a great people and a great Chain of Tradition, is finding a suitable “shidduch” for Yitzchak. Everything now will depend upon Yitzchak. However great Avraham was, unless there is “solid” continuity, all will be lost. To this end, Avrahamcalls upon Eliezer to swear that he will faithfully carry out his task, that he will return to Avraham’s family, and find a wife for Yitzchak there. And that Yitzchak is not to leave Eretz Yisrael (having been consecrated on the Mizbei’ach during the Akeida).

Sh’lishi
Third Aliya – 17 p’sukim – 24:10-26

Eliezer (who is exclusively referred to as “The Servant”, as opposed to by name) takes ten camels laden with a splendid assortment of goods and, travels to Avraham’s hometown. Upon arrival. he ties the camels up near the well, towards evening, at the time that the local girls come to draw water. He asks G-d to be kind hismaster Avraham. Eliezer asks for a sign – the girl who will offer him frink and also for his camels she will be the one sent by G-d. No sooner had he finished speaking, when Rivka b. Betu’el of Avraham’s family arrives ont he scene with her water container on her shoulder. Eliezer runs to her and asks for a bit of water.She immediately gives him his fill and then draws water for his camels. Anxious to find out whether she was “the one” , Eliezer waits until the camels have their drink and then presents Rivka with gifts of jewelry. (On the one hand, he has seen her kind anture and tireless act of chesed; on the other hand, he has not evenasked her who she is.) When Rivka tells Eliezer that she is indeed from Avraham’s family and invites him to stay at her home, he acknowledges G-d with a bow.

[SDT] The Gemara says that Eliezer did not ask properly, but G-d nevertheless, answered him properly. Combining the different opinions on the subject (if that can be done), let’s say that Eliezer’s actions were borderline forbidden. Relying on Signs and Omens is forbidden. Yet Eliezer’s sign was a reasonable test of thegirls. But it could easily have backfired. He was not B’SEDER, but G-d “sent” Rivka to him.

R’vi’i
Fourth Aliya – 26 p’sukim – 24:27-52

Eliezer also says a blessing to G-d for not abandoning Avraham or withholding Divine Kindness from him. Rivka runs hoime to tell her family what has happened. Lavan (filled with ulterior motives, our commentaries tell us) runs to greet Eliezer. The gold jewelry adorning Rivka catches Lavan’s eye, and he “graciously” offersEliezer hospitality. Eliezer is served food but refuses to eat until his “business” is completed.

Eliezer proceeds to tell the story of his mission. He tells of Avraham and Yitzchak and of being sent to find a wife for Yitzchak. When he asks for Rivka’s hand on behalf of his master, Lavan and Betu’el (commentaries point to Lavan’s pushing himself beofre his father as an indication of a negative personality) accept allas G-d’s will.

Eliezer again prostrates himself before G-d in grateful acknowledgment of the success of his mission.

Chamishi
Fifth Aliya – 15 p’sukim – 24:53-67

Eliezer gives more gifts to Rivka and her mother and brother then they all celebrate with food and drink and Eliezer and his party stay overnight. In the morning, Elizer asks his leave. Rivka’s family asks that she remain for a while but Eliezer insists on leaving immediately. Rivka is consulted and she agrees to leaveright away. They send her off with a “maid” (later identified as Devora) and bless her. (This blessing has been repeated countless times to Jewish brides throughout the generations. Ironic, is it not, that we use Lavan’s words for such a special occasion.) and finally the entourage leaves for Canaan.

Meanwhile, Yitzchak (having gone to bring Hagar back to Avraham) is in the Negev area and goes “into the field to commune, before evening”. (This, we are taught, was the model for Mincha.) As the Rivka-Eliezer caravan approaches from a distance, Rivka sees Yitzchak, jumps down from her camel, and asks Eliezer who the manis. She covers her face with a veil when she is told that the man is her intended.

Eliezer tells Yitzchak everything that has occurred. Yitzchak takes Rivka as his wife and she becomes a comfort to him for the loss of his mother. For us, she becomes Rivka Imeinu (not yet, but years later).

Shishi
Sixth Aliya – 11 p’sukim (25:1-11)

Avraham, having successfully provided for the continuity of what will become Judaism, now lives out the remainder of his life as a “private Citizen”. He takes for himself a wife named KETURA (which we are taught was HAGAR) and fathers six more children. He gives them gifts, but Yitzchak remains Avraham’s exclusive spiritualheir. (We can really say that in some ways, other peoples of the world followed Avraham’s lead in living monotheistic lives, but the Torah’s definition of Avraham’s lineage is Yitzchak.)

An interesting question was posed at the shiur by Rabbi Kessler last Motza’ei Shabbat. It was a Vayeira-based question, but it relates to this portion of Chayei Sara, as well. Avraham was the embodiment of CHESED. He gave lavish gifts to Ketura’s children. Why did he send Yishmael away with only bread and water. True, hehad to banish Hagar and Yishmael. This was Sara’s prophetic command, not merely her personal desire. G-d confirmed that. So Yishmael is to be sent away. But give him some camels, a nice tent, camping equipment, food, etc. Just bread and water? Doesn’t sound like the Avraham that we know.

Rabbi Sholom Gold says that the bread and water was sufficient to keep them alive until they reached their intended destination. More than that would not fit the command from G-d (via Sara) – GAREISH… Banishment is not accompanied by a Bon Voyage party.

Rabbi Zacharia Dorshav adds that there was an crucial difference between Yishmael and Ketura’s children. (They were either full brothers, or at least brothers through Avraham, if Ketura was not Hagar. Nonetheless…) Yishmael challenged Yitzchak’s heritage. He claimed (and in some ways continues to claim) Avraham’s legacy.When G-d told Avraham to listen to Sara, He told him to banish them, BECAUSE in Yitzchak will be called your offspring, your descentants. This point had to be made, and a farewell party and lavish provisions for the journey would not have made the point.

No such problem with Ketura’s children. They made no such claim. They did not dispute Yitzchak’s role. They received gifts.

Avraham dies at the “ripe old age” of 175 (actually, this is 5 years short of the complete 180 that Yitzchak achieved – various reasons are given for the “lost” 5 years). His was a graceful, good, and fulfilling life (despite the tough times he had). He is buried in the Cave of Machpela, where he had buried Sara. Both Yitzchakand Yishmael take care of the burial. The Torah implies that Yishmael had repented his ways and had become righteous. What greater joy can a father have?)

G-d blesses Yitzchak after Avraham’s death.

From the fact that Avraham took Ketura only after Yitzchak was married, the Baal HaTurim says that this is the proper thing to do – Marry off your children, before you yourself remarry.

Sh’vi’i
Seventh Aliya – 7 p’sukim – 25:12-18)

The descendants of Yishmael are now enumerated. Yishmael is identified fully as the son of Avraham and Hagar the Egyptian maiden of Sara who bore Yishmael “to Avraham”. (This is quite parallel to the description of Yitzchak’s “connection” to Avraham as stated in the beginning of next week’s sedra. This might further indicateYishmael’s T’shuva in his later years.) It is noteworthy that Yishmael fathered twelve sons, not like Yitzchak, but like Yaakov. Yishmael dies at the age of 100 and 30 and 7 years. The wording in the Torah purposely parallels that which was used to describe Sara’s lifespan, a further indication (perhaps) of the changefor the better in Yishmael. Rashi says that the age of Yishmael is included to help us compute the chronology of Yaakov Avinu. The last three p’sukim are reread for the Maftir.

Haftara
31 p’sukim -1 Kings 1:1-31

The sedra tells of the aging Avraham and his task in providing for the continuity of his beliefs through his son Yitzchak (even though there were other potential heirs). The Haftara parallels this theme by telling us of the aging King David with many potential heirs, providing that it would be his son Shlomo who would bethe next link in the Davidic line. This, fulfillment of a promise made to Shlomo’s mother, Batsheva – similar to the promise made to Sara that her son would inherit. The starting points are Avraham Avinu and David Hamelech. But no matter how strong their personalities were, the chain ends with them unless the next generationis as strong as a Yitzchak Avinu and a Shlomo Hamelech.